I know it doesn't make much sense to trade one vice for another, but I very rarely drink (once a month, and a couple beers at the most) and I don't smoke cigarettes. I do, however, enjoy smoking marijuana on occasion, and I don't know who or how to ask if this is alright post op. I'm five days out and I wouldn't even think of doing it while I'm still recovering, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this after recovery. I'd really appreciate any advice you guys have. Thanks a lot.

First off, anyone that compares smoking pot to smoking crack is probably on crack. And as far as the legality of it, I have yet to hear a decent argument for it even being illegal. It is less dangerous than alcohol and has a 0% OD rate. As Dr. King said, "We have a moral obligation to disobey unjust laws". Now with that out of the way... :-)

My biggest problem with smoking pre-op was that I would get some serious munchies. In a way I thought banding might fix that, not that weed munchies is the reason I got banded or anything. I just thought it would be a nice side effect of the band. I tried it a couple of weeks after surgery and I got some SERIOUS munchies. I didn't pig out or anything but I did eat more than I probably should have and I'm lucky I didn't cause slippage. I would be careful with it, just make sure there are no munchies around the first time you try. Everyone is affected differently, and I found out that even though I couldn't eat a lot that didn't keep me from wanting to. Good luck :-)

I was banded a while ago and i have been working diligently at changing my life style for the better. weed made the cut of things that will stay... I control the munchies but having healthy food that i prepared at the ready and if i don't again i am in control weed is not that kind of substance. The a salad or a piece of baked Popeye's chicken are always a good munchies and the more protein you have the better u kill the munchies longer too.

As for how it affects my weight loss i smoke recreationaly to stop from blowing up my office...lol jk and to cure the occasional nausea i seem to have been getting with the band... That being said look at my Sig u tell me how weed is affecting my progress

look if you don't smoke that's your bag but everyone i know that enjoys is accomplished and is in full control of their habit it would be ridiculous to allow the munchies to prove that a plant is more powerful that you are. i pay taxes, i follow the law, but if smoking pot makes me a criminal then i will march with head raised because some things are bad because your goverment has said they are... so you do you and ill do me but i choose to break away from the heard... it will be harder fro them to lead me to the slaughter that way.

btw try water loading .... would wonders for the munchies

Edited May 17, 200917 yr by TheWatcher

I haven't smoked for years but when I did I always got a severe case of the "munchies". I would be afraid to smoke now.

i smoke regularly and i dont have a probem with munchies at least pre-op i havnt tried it yet and i had the op 5 days ago. im afraid that it will have an affect on the band and that would not be worth the risk.

does anyone know if it will or not?

Hi - I've been banded for about a year now and have smoked pretty much the entire time after the banding. I have never had any problems with it whatsoever. The munchies are always an issue to be aware of, but there are lots of things you can do to deal with it. One thing I do is smoke before a meal and have the meal already prepared and waiting. That way, when I'm hungry, I already have a healthy meal waiting that I am supposed to eat anyway (as opposed to a snack). I also stock up on healthy snacks - I make a homemade trail mix with nuts and craisins that is coated in egg white, splenda and cinnamon and baked. It is delicious but still low in calories (well, extra calories beyond the nuts - they have high calories and fat content but it is the good fat and they have lots of protein, so as long as you limit the amount, the calories balance out). When I have some of that, I take a specific measurement (like 1/3 cup) and put it in a bowl and put the rest away. Then I sit down knowing when it is gone, I'm done. This also helps "feed" the munchies, but in a healthy and controlled way. Sugar free popsicles, sugar free or low fat hot chocolate, chocolate covered craisins (again, small specific amount) etc are also ways to fill cravings for sweets or crunchy or whatever without ruining your diet or causing slippage or stretching the pouch. And I agree with TheWatcher - I have managed to lose 80 lbs, so I guess I'm doing something right! I think you just have to find the right balance for YOU - and it may or may not include smoking weed! Good Luck and congratulations on choosing to change your life for the better!!

I'm almost a year out as well. I've been smoking regularly since 2 days post op(terrible cramps from tom) and haven't had any issues. I usually drink water while smoking to avoid the munchies. I have always used that method and it has worked oit pretty well for me.

I hope this thread makes people realize that marijuana usage is not the huge barrier to losing weight that everyone thinks it is. I smoke almost daily and I still go to the gym and school and all that. I've lost a bunch of weight even with the evil that is the munchies. They key is, as many here have pointed out, is finding a way to stave those off. Water works wonderfully, as does the preparing a healthy meal beforehand. I use a nice mix of the water and just willpower.

I do it all the time. Pre-op and post-op. You just have to learn to control yourself when you get the munchies. Otherwise, it's no big deal. As far as testing for it during pre-op testing, that's false. They don't look for that.

I agree with Donna

Well said Drew05!!!

I would also like to mention 2 things I forgot in my last post:

1. I really enjoy smoking a tiny bit before exercise. Why? Because it makes the time go by faster; it makes the time more enjoyable (I love to do my Bollywood Booty exercise while slightly stoned - it actually feels fun and sexy! Who doesn't want to feel that way while exercising??); it makes the exercise slightly easier (especially at my heaviest, exercise and stretching could hurt and then discourage me from continuing. While moderation and care is key, the slight high can ease the aches and pains allowing me to push through the exercises and actually finish. Careful though - don't want to push yourself into injuring yourself!!); it makes me forget the munchies! When I work out like that, I don't munch and it wears off when the hour is over; it makes something I normally dread seem fun and enjoyable which helps me do it and not avoid it. I realize this wouldn't work for everyone, but it really does for me.

2. Get to know your strains! Different strains of MJ will contain various percentages of both sativa and indica. The sativa gives you a more upbeat, cerebral high. The indica gives you the mellow, stoney high. I can't remember which one (but I think it's the indica), is the one that is more likely to cause the munchies. So when you buy (or before you buy), research the strain online. It isn't always there, but often you can find the strain and lots of information about it. Then you can begin to keep a real or mental list of the types and the effects it caused. Then just avoid the ones that give you the worst munchies, etc. I'm a geek, but I really do have a computer list with basic descriptions and ratings for myself! This is another huge help to me in being able to buy the stuff that will work with me and my life (so, less munchie issues for the lapband girl!).

Good Luck!!

munchies and sleepiness aside, i want to know if pot relieves the pressure you feel when your band decides to cinch up on it's own. i had a bad experience with my band's self-tightening when i had a strong gas attack. i want to know if a couple of tokes would have relieved the pressure

munchies and sleepiness aside, i want to know if pot relieves the pressure you feel when your band decides to cinch up on it's own. i had a bad experience with my band's self-tightening when i had a strong gas attack. i want to know if a couple of tokes would have relieved the pressure

I'm not sure of the condition you are describing. Some days my band seems tighter then others, is this what you mean? If so, NO, it does not relieve it.

my band was filled to a really good restriction 8cm/10cm and i had a gas attack in my lower abdomen/intestines. not sure if it was due to constipation, used an enema and still no relief. the gas continued and became like contractions and very painful. finally had to go to ER for an adjustment, which turned out badly - another story. just wanted to know if i smoked a little on the first night of pain, if that would have relieved the cramping and gas and kept me from going to the Er

well I do get the munchies but it doesn't change how tight my band is. So things still get stuck...regardless if it's a tight day or a loose day lol

I have a question.. do they test for Marijuana before the surgery? or is it just for Nicotine?